Fascism began when certain socialists became disillusioned that the Revolution could or would happen. They woke up from Marx’s fairy tales but still wanted what Marx promised. Whet the socialists may call them killing the landlord’s butts was just them moderating in hopes of getting more of the well heeled chattering classes on board and with that get some of the goodies.
Fascism is the Left. It always shared the same underlying assumptions. It still does even though the real fascists, all still Leftists, want to call anyone they disagree with fascists.
Fascism compares with Gramsci’s efforts, for he too gave up on Marx’s proletariat and changed his focus onto the commies in the chattering classes, who Stalin called useful idiots, hoping for the top down crap we are presently fighting.
Kissing the landlords butts ... darn typos
The difference between fascism and communism is roughly the difference between maroon and burgundy. It’s about half a baby step.
Mises, in his brilliant analysis of them, referred to “German socialism” and “Russian socialism.”
If you like classical music, call it “Variations on a Theme of Socialism.”
Giovanni Gentile, who was one of Mussolini’s chief advisors and essentially his ghostwriter, is basically the founder of fascism, and he argues that it is not only a form of socialism, but its most viable form.